Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS) is one of the most common overuse injuries among runners. It occurs when the iliotibial band, the ligament that runs down the outside of the thigh from the hip to the shin, is tight or inflamed. The IT band attaches to the knee and helps stabilize and move the joint. When the IT band isn't working properly, movement of the knee (and, therefore, running) becomes painful. IT band pain can be severe enough to completely sideline a runner for weeks, or even longer.
I have set my heart on running my first marathon - the Cape Town Marathon in September. The grand plan was that 2014 would be my last Two Oceans Half Marathon before moving on to the 56km ultra marathon in 2015. I have been training harder and better than ever before, I sacrificed many hours of precious sleep to be able to run before entering the law faculty at 08:00 for class, lazy Saturday mornings turned into long long runs, I committed to the cause 100%, I read up all that I could on long distance running. I did not decide to run a marathon to proof anything to anyone - my sole motivation was the absolute joy that I experience from running and the multiple lessons I have learnt through it. Little did I know that the toughest lesson was yet to come.
A small knee niggle ended up as the onset of ITB. This syndrome is probably a worst case scenario for runners - it can take months to recover which ultimately brings your fitness level back to square one.
Even though I will never get back the lost hours of training and even though the disappointment dwells deep in my heart I know that I went full out for what I believed in and enjoyed. I proved to myself that I am capable of much more than I allowed myself to believe and that I exceeded my own expectations and for now that is reason enough to believe I will lace up next year and race again.
I believe that this injury is not the end of my dream, it merely is the start.
